The red team vs pen test debate has been going on all along. As the cybersecurity landscape extends, organizations are faced with the task of choosing the most appropriate security assessment for their business. We often hear Penetration testing and red teaming being used interchangeably, but in fact, they are two different things.
In this blog, we’ll try to explain how these activities differ from each other and help you figure out which one might be the best fit for your organization.
Red Team:
Red teaming is similar to pen testing but is not focused on finding vulnerabilities but rather focuses on finding how efficiently an organization’s security team responds to various threats.
Red Teaming exercise fully simulates a real-life attack avoiding detection to measure how well the organization can withstand cyber threats and how quickly it can resume its business operations. This exercise includes testing for not just vulnerabilities but also physical penetration, social engineering, and an element of surprise.
Pen Testing:
Pen testing or Penetration testing is an exercise that focuses on assessing your networks, systems or applications, etc. in an effort to identify exploitable vulnerabilities. Pen testing involves finding and exploiting security issues to ensure accurate determination of the risk of vulnerability. The testers if able to exploit vulnerability will continue testing along with a combination of various attacks and achieve their goal. The goal of this exercise includes but is not limited to access to PII, trade secrets, etc.
We at ASPIA use a combination of manual and automatic approaches to provide comprehensive methodologies to pen testing focused on delivering maximum value.
Red team vs Pen Test:
There are a few key differences between pen testing and red teaming. Few comparative differences are listed below:
Red teaming:
- In red teaming, a holistic perspective is taken on security, and vulnerabilities are exploited to gain a broader understanding of a system’s security posture. Identify physical, software, hardware, and human errors.
- Red teaming is a stealth evasion exercise that takes more time compared to pen testing.
- The organization’s employees are unaware of the red team exercise.
- Red teams comprise experts from various domains, that allow red teams to conduct in-depth testing and exploit vulnerabilities in different areas.
Pen testing:
- Pen testing identifies specific vulnerabilities related to design and architecture, so it is often considered to be a more narrowly focused method.
- Penetration testing is not a stealth operation, and thus takes lesser time to complete when compared to red teaming.
- The organization’s employees are aware of the testing.
- It is possible that pen testing will not uncover all vulnerabilities in a system.
What is right for you?
While penetration testing is a required part of various organizations governing compliances, it is an essential exercise that should be carried out by every organization. Categorically speaking if you are an organization already performing regular security audits internally and implementing security training and monitoring you should adopt penetration testing.
In contrast to pen tests, Red Team Assessments are not appropriate for all organizations, but only for those with mature security programs. The companies that have typically performed penetration tests, have patched most vulnerabilities, and have generally positive results from penetration testing are the best fit to carry the red team exercise.
Conclusion:
We wonder which technique is better?
At times both exercises are carried out by the same people, same tools but different techniques and methodologies.
Thus to answer the question, one is not necessarily better than the other as red teaming and pen testing are both valuable security testing options, and the best choice will depend on your specific needs.
Thinking that you’re ready for pentest or Red Team exercise?
Take the First Step In Transforming Your Cybersecurity Program, ASPIA is one of the emerging cybersecurity consulting companies in India with a dedicated team of security experts. Our team will help you understand your risk exposure, increase your visibility and ROI, and proactively hunt for the latest threats.
Click here, to learn more about Security Assessment & Testing Services and to book a consultation with an ASPIA Infotech expert today.
